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Decision on Swandon Lane/Homebase planning application (p.a. 2015/6608)was deferred yesterday at the planning application committee meeting. While the Council’s officers recommended approval for the scheme including a 17 storey tower, it emerged that the developers now wish to review their proposals and consult further.

Apparently, the Council’s officer in charge of the case is himself bemused. Is it that now even developers are thinking that the Council is passing any scheme without any consideration on the local impact and unlike the Council, are cautious with local resident opposition? In any case it would be wise to confine joy for the present.

The Planning Officers believed that reducing the initial proposal from 25 storeys to 17 storeys was a victory for Council’s policies. Despite those policies saying that buildings of 9 storeys or more are unlikely to be appropriate for the site. It shows again the discrepancy between the official line and the views real views in the Council.

According to a campaigner : “Former Land Owners who gained consents when being forced to adhere to Council Policy on height, massing and density are considering seeking financial redress for loss caused by a complete sea change in over-riding Policy should an Approval be granted that would be contrary to Council and London Mayoral Policy.” Although there is indeed a financial risk to be considered by the Council, this does not impact directly the decision that developers are making.

The proposal received over 100 objections along with the views of the Wandsworth Society, Battersea Society and Riverside West Residents Association.

The case officer, Brandan Wilkinson, confirmed yesterday that the application has not been ‘withdrawn’. Cllr Sarah MacDermott, chair of the PAC, may inadvertently have caused some confusion by stating at the start of the meeting that the application had been withdrawn from the meeting’s agenda.